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Oldsmobile Aurora Owners: Meet the Members
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Comments
My mother-in-law also bought a '98 (September 2000) and an extended warranty. I think she's had $100 in claims in the 4+ years she's had the car. So, not all of them are bad.
2) Re: parts, I disagree somewhat with that statement. The Aurora is a "G" chassis, which was first used by the Aurora and Riviera, later by the Seville (STS/SLS), Park Avenue/LeSabre, and Bonneville. Lots of parts are common to the other cars on the platform. The Aurora 4.0 is another Northstar. I don't think there are part availability issues (my oil pressure sending unit's been sluggish, ordered the part from the local Buick dealer, had it in two days). There is always the junkyard (took this option to get a replacement power antenna when mine got stuck in the "up" position - Antenna V**gra, anyone?)
I would get the car inspected big-time. Make sure they check the rear crankshaft seals to see if it's leaking oil - if so, I'd stay away ($1800+ repair, engine and tranny have to be dropped and the engine split and resealed to effect the repair). If there is any way you can get a service history, that would help, too.
You have to decide what you can afford for purchase price and repairs, and what your comfort zone is. It's unlikely you could get an effective extended warranty at this mileage and point in time (most third-party warranties are risky these days, especially after Warranty Gold went under).
If I could go back in time and make the decision about buying my Aurora again, would I do it? Absolutely. I still love this car so much - the ride, the power, the comfort, the looks. Doubt I'll ever get get rid of this car (I only drive it in winter since I got an '04 GTO summer toy back in August)...
Hope this helps,
--Robert
My position is that I have usually had older nice cars as opposed to newer cheap cars. I take care of them but they are my principle transportation. The inspection is the big thing. I recently turned one down for some of the issues you mention. (Shocked the seller, he said he had no idea, etc)
Again, thanks.
Bill
I picked it up nearly three years ago with little more than 27k on the clock.
Recently, a very nice lady on the LIE applied her Honda Accord as a suppository, hitting me at about 30 (I was stopped). The Accord was totaled, leaking all manner of fluids and metallic/plastic parts all over the highway.
She scratched my bumper cover, folded over the passenger side exhaust back at the 'Y' pipe, and dented the underside of the trunk. I swear I could hear the Aurora laughing at her.
Here's my rub - since I have the gorgeous 3-stage paint, nobody's been able to match it. The original body shop tried to pull a fast one and make me sign off on a clear mismatch. The second shop wouldn't touch it - they knew how much work would need to go into it, and knew the insurance company simply wouldn't pay. Any ideas?
Lastly, for those of us in the NE, has anyone else noticed that the Aurora's appetite for premium gets more pronounced with this 10% ethanol crap? I took a high-speed trip from NY to Atlanta two years ago and was averaging 28 mpg at speeds approaching the route number. I remember that my mileage got better once I cleared the NJ border and tanked up in DE (we had MTBE back then, but they stopped using it because it poisoned the groundwater...). I can't seem to break 23 now, even on extended hwy drives...
The kids also kicked off one of the little diffuser grilles on the center console (they can only ride in the van now) - any suppliers?
Thanks,
Adam
let us know about that chip.
you can get some decent parts at RSMRACING.com
If you can get some pictures of you Aurora.
You can view my 1999 Aurora at the link below,
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/225739
Javi.
Good to hear that you love your Aurora,
What kind of upgrades have you done?
Javi.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/225739
I have redone the carpeting, put in a sony xplod cd changer-amp-bass, on-headrest screens and dvd player, have had to get a remanufactured engine, waterpump and so on. I paid $3000 and now with all I have done I have a brand new car. I really love these automobiles and I am trying to restore it to showroom quality. BTW- It had over 139k on the first engine and it wasnt very well taken care of under the hood. Inside was almost perfect and shiney.
Thanks again,
Kara :shades:
I originally thought that you were talking about, that you had replaced your floor mats or something along the way. But you really did your self, DVD and all, not bad, you really get down with your cars ha? I think that's cool.
You really put in a lot of overtime work for your Aurora, what color is it again, do you have in pictures of what it looked like before and after.
Keep up the great work.
Also you can see my car at link below
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/225739
:shades:
Javi
Kara :P
Yup that's my Aurora there, just a little sumthing.
Javi.
Welcome! Glad to have another Final 500 owner here. Tell us more about your Final 500 Aurora. How many miles? Options? What number out of 500 is it? Did you get the Collector's Appreciation package with it from the original owner? How much did you pay for it? Your impressions of the Aurora?
I also have a Final 500. I ordered it new from an Oldsmobile dealer. It is number 55 out of 500. I don't drive it much and it only has around 550 miles on it now. It has every option for a Final 500 except the Navigation radio and the Engine block heater. Unfortunately, it is at the dealer right now because the battery started leaking and the acid burned a hole through the bottom of my car. I am not a happy camper right now and that just dropped GM down several notches in my book and I love GM vehicles in general.
There is a TSB out for this problem on most of the FWD large luxury GM sedans from 2000-2005 (Lesabre, Aurora, Bonneville, Deville). ALL 2nd Generation Aurora owners, TAKE OUT YOUR BACK SEAT AND CHECK YOUR BATTERY FOR ACID LEAKING! Here is a link to the reference of the TSB in the March 2005 GM Techlink: http://www.gmtechlink.com/images/issues/mar05/TLMar05e.html#story5
Otherwise, I love my Final 500 and cannot wait to drive it when I get it back!
Congratulations on your acquisition of a Final 500! Take care of it as much as you can and don't drive it to death. It is one of the last ones left forever!!!
Bryant
The car is pampered well with premium fuel, regular waxxings, syntheic oils and so on. Owning this car makes me love to drive again.
A question I would pose to the group is I'm debating purchasing the GM extednted warranty. Any thoughts on the subject?
I had a third-party extended warranty on my '98 Aurora. Researching the car here, there were a number of common problems (made me decide to get the warranty). I got hit with almost all of them - my warranty paid out more than 3x what I paid for it. I see fewer issues with the new Auroras, but there are some strange ones (and dealer service expertise does seem to be an issue due to the demise of Olds)...
If you do decide to get an extended warranty, shop around. I've heard that Capper Auto Center in Iowa, and Black Pontiac Cadillac in Pennsylvania, offer discounted GMPP plans. Might consider checking out their prices and then seeing if your local dealer will match - otherwise buy from the discounters (what I plan to do on my 2004 GTO and my wife's 2004 Envoy)...
--Robert
Thank you for any help you can give me. This started yesterday and I don't know how much of this my battery can take.
If you take this to a dealer, you will pay $500+ to have them replace this switch. If you or anyone else you know is mechanically inclined, you can fix this. There are disassembly instructions posted somewhere here, as well as on other web sites (I cannot post a link without having the post deleted by Edmunds - their policy). Suggest you use Google to search for "Aurora MultiFunction Switch". Or, just send me an email (address in my profile).
Hope this helps,
--Robert
It drives great! Very quiet and tight, and she leaps forward with a slightly heavy foot. I used to own a 1970 Cutlass Supreme. That was my favorite car until this one came along. At least they are in the Oldsmobile family. I've always like Oldsmobiles more than any other brand or markee. It's a shame GM shot themselves in the foot by deciding to disband the Olds division.
The funny thing is we bought the car to replace my wife's 97 Dodge Intrepid (144,000 miles), but she wants to keep it now and still use it as her primary car to keep the miles off of the Aurora.
I look forward to meeting the group.
Paul
What color is your Aurora?
Javi.
You have miles-o-smiles to go... :shades: :shades:
It is the dark green metalic color. How do I attach an image? I have one the dealer sent me that I can send. Thanks.
Paul
they let use post your pictures and then you can post them here.
Javi.
DawnTreader
I don't believe there are a lot of performance mods for these cars - probably the best thing you can do is replace the exhaust system with something like a Corsa. With the older Aurora, the airbox can be gutted for better intake flow and sound, but I don't believe this works on the newer gen.
There is/was a web site (http://www.domesticperformance.com) promising upgrades for the Auroras and other Northstar-powered cars. Unfortunately, there is little demand, so I don't know if any of their ideas have come to fruition.
If you want to modify the car to go faster, the Aurora is probably not for you. If you want to go fast with style, maybe it is.
Just my 2 cents,
--Robert
What does "acce" mean? Acceleration? Air conditioning" Or something else?
Factory service manuals are available from www.helminc.com; they are fairly expensive (>$100). You may be able to find one on eBay for less money.
Can you describe the hoses involved? If I know what to look for, I may be able to copy pages from my '97 manual and mail them to you. '97s and '98s are very similar.
Les
Your reply to me (#143 I think) seems to have disappeared, so I do not have your email address. The sketches in the service manual are not very good, so I took photos myself. I can email the files to you if if I can get your email address.
Les Young
Well my wife needs a new Mini van to haul kids and hockey bags around town. Last year my company provided a car for me so my 1997 Aurora has been used very little. I took it with me to see about a trade in and he told me $ 6200. Its in very good shape with only 74K . The guy called me three time not about the van but on the trade in of my car. Is this a fair price? I was going to keep or give the car to a family member that needs one. Thank you in advance for you response.
PL390
--Robert
who thinks that sounds great for an 8+ year old car, but doesn't know what options, etc. it has.
Real World Trade-In Values
Should have bought the extended warranty though. Had to replace A/C, belt pullys, but we still like it. Still less $$ than a new car, and it GOES!
Also I have question for you is there any way to PM you.
I just purchased a 2001 black Aurora. I love this car! It has almost everything including the cd changer. Only 54000 miles and I got it for $14000.
Just wanted to say hi.
Thanks,
Jerry
Thank you.
Les
Manuals (new and used) are also available from factoryautomanuals.com. Picked up a 3 piece set for my '99 for $80. They were new and in the plastic! I've had good luck with them as I had also purchased the complete set for my '91 Gran Prix.
George
So forgive my zeal as I announce myself the proud new owner of an '01, 56K, Red beauty of a 4.0 with a sunroof.
I learned I'm the 4th owner of this car. While I was looking for a car for me and my 2 kids, this car called out to me. It has the moonroof, which I really fell in love with for I have always wanted one. The seat warmers are also a plus, specially since I live in North Dakota and the winters can be tough. Those seat warmers are great!! I also love the look of being in a airplane cockpit with all the lights and stuff!! That is so great.
I have had my share of problems - the stupid security thing and it shifted hard at times. And also the stereo keeping my CD. But this has been things I can handle for now. So far I have been real lucky, but it looks like the previous owners took real good care of this car.
I love this car. It is a real good looking car. I even put a rear spoiler on mine, so it looks even sportier. I have had compliments about how hot it looks.
I have to agree that this car is the most comfortable car I have also driven and been in, although my Chevy Caprice Classic was a very wonderful car also!!
As for all the problems I have read about this car, well no car is perfect. But what I could afford at the time, this car makes me feel rich. I have been lucky so far. Knock on wood!! lol
But I would like to wish all you Aurorians the best of luck with your car and hope things go better for the ones with the problems.
Welcome. There are good ones and bad ones; hope you got one of the former.
Are you a Fiero owner, too?
Les
Thanks for the welcome. I know there has been many horror stories about this car, and I have had my share of problems, but I love this car. It's the sportiest car I have ever owned, except for the Firebird. I'm a huge lover of Firebirds too, but the one I had was the wrong year I wanted. It was a 1975, and I want a 1978 Firebird. I hope to get it!! The one I had was real nice though. It sounded tough!!
I have never owned a Fiero. Thanks for asking!!
If any of you would like, I will try and post some pics of my baby. Along with the spoiler, I have some graphics on the hood of it. They are skulls in a trible look. They look awesome and really make the car stand out. I put them on myself. And I'm proud of them.
Again, thank you for the welcome and it's a pleasure to know you!!